AN investigation is to be carried out into extending two traveller sites in the region.
Hambleton District Council, in North Yorkshire, commissioned a traveller housing needs study in May.
It found there will be a need for 11 more council-owned pitches over the next 15 years, as well as 15 more privately-owned pitches.
At a cabinet meeting yesterday, the council agreed to investigate if it will be feasible to accommodate these extra pitches at existing sites at Thirsk and Seamer, near Stokesley. It will look into the cost and discuss the issue with residents and landowners.
Government guidelines recommend that sites should not exceed 15 pitches and the two existing sites already have 16 caravans.
If this option proves unsuitable, the council will look into providing a new public site with Government funding in the vicinity of larger existing residential areas, such as Northallerton, Thirsk, Stokesley, Easingwold or Bedale.
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